Acoustic guitar finish

1. What kind of finish is used on acoustic guitars?
2. What kind of finish do you put on a guitar?
3. Does guitar Finish affect sound?

What kind of finish is used on acoustic guitars?

Water based finishes, penetrating oils or natural violin type varnishes are rarely used on standard "production" acoustic guitars, which today are usually finished with shellac, lacquer or a catalyzed polymer. The finish may be a high gloss, completely dull and flat, or somewhere between (“satin”).

What kind of finish do you put on a guitar?

Polyurethane and polyester guitar finishes are considered the industry standard; the modern norm if you will. In mass guitar production, poly finishes largely replaced nitrocellulose lacquers from the late '60s onwards.

Does guitar Finish affect sound?

Put simply, the paint thins out over time (hence the cracks you see on nitro finishes) and theoretically the resonance and tone are continuously getting richer, no matter how infinitesimal.